Lore

— What shall go on for eternity

The Inn

"Please," Elwyn pleaded with the man. "He's sick and needs rest." The innkeeper, heavy set with a thick beard looked Elwyn up and down, then glanced past her at Inyat who supported a feverish Sitar. She could tell the innkeeper was going to say no, so she pressed on desperately. "'There will be visions among the young and dreams given the old, they will prophesy of a coming frost...'" "'...and of three strings in the snow...'" the man finished the passage quote, eyes widening as he understood what Elwyn was saying. He wordlessly held the door open for them as Elwyn entered first to scan the room. When she was certain they were safe, she helped Inyat bring Sitar inside. The innkeeper led them to a room on the ground floor and helped Inyat lay Sitar on the bed while Elwyn drew the curtains closed and lit a lamp. "We are deeply grateful for your hospitality," she told the innkeeper. "Please, if there is anything more I may do to serve, I can bring whatever you need." "This is all we require," Elwyn passed a slip of paper to him, and after reading it the innkeeper left the room. As Inyat nudged the door closed, Elwyn said a silent prayer of gratitude that the coded words had still worked. Memories of spying and scouting missions blurred together in her head, places and faces, names and codes, it was a marvel she still remembered what codes worked with what contacts. "I'll take first watch," Inyat was saying. "When the innkeeper returns I'll mix the broth for him." Elwyn turned sharply to face Inyat. "No, you were awake nearly the whole night, let me take the watch." Inyat shook her head, causing her low tail of hair to swing gently. "I will watch over him, El, you rest now." There was no anger in her answer, just a calm certainty. It was already decided, and Elwyn's disagreement would find no purchase. "Only for a couple hours," Elwyn conceded, dropping heavily into the chair beside the bed. She had felt wildly alert standing a moment ago, but now her eyelids drooped and she sighed in the defeated acceptance of sleep. Safe for a time. That was enough.

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